Hua Siong College of Iloilo
| Iloilo Central Commercial High School 怡朗華商中學 | |
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| Address | |
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34 Iznart Street, Iloilo City , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, nonsectarian, Filipino |
| Motto | 勤，誠，忠，勇 ("Diligence, Sincerity, Loyalty, and Courage") |
| Established | 1912 |
| President | Mr. Tomas Pama |
| Language | English Filipino Mandarin |
| Mascot | Red Phoenix |
| Website | Huasiong website |
| Chinese schools in Philippine cities |
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Iloilo Central Commercial High School (simplified Chinese: 怡朗华商中学; traditional Chinese: 怡朗華商中學; pinyin: Yílǎng Huá Shāng Zhōngxué) (or ICCHS) is an educational institution located on Iznart Street, Iloilo City, Philippines. It was founded by the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo.
History
1912 marked the birth of Iloilo Central Commercial High School – the second oldest Filipino Chinese School in the Philippines.
Conceived and installed by the Iloilo Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the school was known as Iloilo Chinese Vocational School and was located at Yu Tiak Ha Building at Aldeguer Street. In a short span of time, a piece of land opposite the street was acquired and a school built upon it, called Tian Po Hall. A year later, the school was renamed Iloilo Chinese Primary Commercial School with 60 students.
In 1918 the Chamber of Commerce acquired a piece of land along Iznart Street.
In 1927 the school was called Primary Commercial School and later became Iloilo Chinese Commercial High School.
In 1932 more rooms were opened, more instructional materials and equipment were provided, new curricula in the Elementary and High School were offered, and a Kindergarten Course was introduced.
The War
Among those who stood against the Japanese were the school teachers and students, who formed anti-Japanese Patriotic Groups. The group stirred the valor of the local Chinese through drama performances. Being the nucleus of the Anti-Japanese Forum, constituted principally by the local Chinese, school teachers frequently organized discussions on current events.
When Japanese aggressors reached Iloilo, some of the Anti-Japanese organizers, including members of the Board of Trustees, ended up in jail. Their remains were buried in the Chinese Cemetery.
Re-opening
The war left the school in ruins. The Board of Trustees prepared themselves to continue operations. Through funds from friends, residing in Gigante Island, they were able to finance the new set-up.
Meanwhile, notwithstanding the uncomfortable premises build from nipa huts, classes reopened on November 1949. Years later, a new school building was inaugurated which bore the name “Yu Guang Lou” (Fisherman Hall), after the Gigante fishermen and friends who helped in building the school.
Developments
In 1950, “Yi Bin Lou” (Iloilo Shore Hall) was established and the following year, “Min Jiang Lou” (Manila River Hall) was inaugurated. The halls were named after contributors regions.
In December 1952, many innocent Chinese teachers were detained without reason and even deported. By 1955, after courses in Chinese Senior High School reintroduced, ICCHS became full-fledged high school in 1958 where the first Senior High School and second Batch of English Secondary students graduated simultaneously.
The Fire
On 7 February 1966, a fire struck Iloilo City – the biggest fire Iloilo had ever experienced. Almost one-third of the commercial districts of the city were burned to the ground. ICCHS was burnt down. In order not to distort the study of the 900 students, the Board of Trustees decided on the resumption of classes few days after the fire.
So the school was transferred to a rented building in Guanco Street. The Board of Trustees, the Iloilo Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the school joined hands to form a “School Fund Drive Committee”. The Overseas Chinese Daily Publications Corporation quartered in Manila offered to help in the Fund Drive Campaign.
The construction of the first school building started in July 1967, was completed in May 1968 and put into use in June of the same year.
Revent events
In 1975 ICCHS was recognized under the name of Iloilo Central Commercial High School. During this time, enrollees increased to 1800.
Because of the rapid increase of population, two more buildings were built. The Cho Tiak Hall and the Po Kim Bi Hall were renovated in 1984.
ICCHS was Grand Slam Champion in the basketball field.
The Alumni Association sponsored a “Light for Progress” movement- rallying alumni, parents and friends from all walks of life throughout the country to raise funds for the procurement of an adjacent lot (with an area of 1225 square meters) upon which a beautiful Alumni Park and a modernized Kindergarten Department were constructed. These facilities were turned over to the school during its 75th Foundation Day.
In 1992 the Board of Trustees began construction of a school building adjoining the Antonio Uy Si Kai stage. The new five-storey building houses the school canteen in the ground floor, which sells books and other school materials and snacks. The ten classrooms at each level answered the perennial problem of the lack of classrooms.
The second floor has a T.H.E. Room on the second floor, an air-conditioned and Speech Laboratory and Computer Rooms at the third and fourth level. On the fifth floor is the air-conditioned Alumni Hall with a Conference and Audio-Visual rooms.
As of 1996, the student population had increased to 2,000.
Each year ICCHS has participated in activities undertaken by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, by the private sector and organizations in events like sports, cultural and academic competitions. Graduates in past years have passed 100% in the National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT).
Dormitory
The dormitory houses more 250 students, with an air-conditioned library. The dining and kitchen areas of the dormitory were renovated. Three school vans to service the school, alumni and visitors have been purchased.
Ledesco Branch
The Ledesco Branch, which opened its doors to students living on the outskirts of the city, in 1992, has a complete pre-Elementary and Elementary courses, (Grades 1 to 6) and First Year to Fourth Year High School classes. The ICCHS extension has a children’s playground and a mini-forest.
New building
Inaugurated in February 2002, the new three-storey building, the library, the auditorium and the gymnasium are now fully developed. The modernized gymnasium is now a venue of the ICCHS’ major convocations and sponsored activities and even Iloilo City’s academic and sport activities such as the PRISAA, Integrated and Regional Meet.
Huasiong College of Iloilo
The school announced the opening of college business courses during the 2013 Chinese Year Festival of Iloilo. The school will be renamed Huasiong College of Iloilo.
Notable Alumni
External links
| Preceded by Philippine Tiong Se Academy April 15, 1899 |
Oldest Chinese School in the Philippines Second February 25, 1912 |
Succeeded by Manila Patriotic School November 11, 1912 |